Are you going to pursue a career in aviation? Do you need assistance with paying for your education? Aviation is a thrilling and vastly appealing profession, but getting the training you need can cost quite a bit of money. Luckily, there are aviation scholarships available that could help lessen the financial burden.
Colleges, universities, organizations, and foundations sponsor these scholarships to help promote the profession and make it easier for people like you to enter the field. These scholarships all have different criteria for how they can be used and who qualifies for them. Although all of them are generally intended for use by students who are seeking a career in aviation, aircraft electronics, and transportation technology. Awards range from$1000 to more than $200,000.
Options in Aviation Scholarships
The following is a list of various financial aid options to help you pay for your education and training in the field of aviation. As mentioned, each has specific criteria, so you may not qualify for every one of them, but this does give you a nice place to start on your journey to find the money you need for college.
Calvin L Carrithers Aviation Scholarship
GlobalAir.com offers the Calvin L Carrithers Aviation Scholarship. This is a $1,000 award offered to four recipients. To qualify, you must commit to blogging every week about aviation related topics, and you need to be enrolled in an aviation program. The deadline to apply is in late summer.
To find out more about this scholarship, visit the GlobalAir.com website.
Virginia Aviation Business Association Aviation Charles J. Colgan Scholarship
The VABA Charles J. Colgan scholarship is available to residents of Virginia who are seniors in high school or technical school or those already enrolled in an undergraduate program in aviation. Winners will receive $2,000 award amount. The scholarship deadline is in spring each year. To apply, students must submit an application, have at least a 3.0 grade point average, write an essay, submit letters of recommendation, and provide proof of acceptance into an aviation program.
For more information, visit the VABA website.
Purdue University Polytechnic Institute Scholarships
Each year the Purdue Polytechnic Institute awards over $600,000 in scholarships. The scholarships are awarded based on academic merit and need. To apply, a student must submit an application and complete admission to the school. Deadlines vary depending
To learn more, visit the Purdue University website.
Grand Rapids Community Foundation Scholarships
The Grand Rapids Community Foundation awards multiple scholarships annually to students who are residents of Kent County. There is over $1 million in money available. Students can complete one application online to apply for all the scholarship opportunities. The Foundation also has additional scholarships that have specific requirements, such as working for a certain employer, attending a specific school, or pursuing a particular major.
For additional information and details, visit the GRCF website.
Aircraft Electronics Association Educational Foundation Scholarship
The AEA Educational Foundation provides scholarship options for students in the aviation maintenance and electronics industry. Scholarships are available from $1,000 to $35,000. The AEA begins accepting applications in the fall of each year. Most scholarships are for members only, but some are open to the family of members.
To get more information and learn about the different scholarships, visit the scholarship page of the AEA’s website.
Ohio Regional Business Aviation Association Scholarship
The ORBAA offers a scholarship opportunity for pilots and aviation maintenance professionals. To apply, a student must provide proof of pilot certification or be enrolled in a college aviation program. Students must submit an application, including an essay and transcript, along with a resume. All applicants must be U.S. citizens. The deadline for applying is towards the beginning of the calendar year.
For more information, please visit the ORBAA website.
Santa Rosa Ninety-Nines Aviation Scholarship
This chapter of the Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots offers a scholarship to women pilots located in Santa Rosa. The goal is to award the scholarship to a woman who will use it for training, continuing education, or certification. If you are a female, you may apply if you live in the 150 radii of Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport, have a private pilot license, meet rating requirements, and be at least 17 years old. This is a one time only award. Students do not have to be an organization member.
To get further information, visit the Santa Rosa Ninety-Nines website.
Experimental Aircraft Association Scholarship Program
The EAA offers scholarships to students who want to work towards a career in aviation or a related field. There are three cycles in which the EAA takes applications throughout the year. There are different scholarships available during each cycle. These include flight training, post-secondary, and air academy. Students may apply online.
For additional details, including cycle dates, visit the EAA website.
UAA Janice K. Barden Aviation Scholarship
The National Business Aviation Association manages the UAA Janice K. Barden Aviation Scholarship. The deadline for applying is towards the end of the calendar year. Students should have at least a 3.0 grade point average, be enrolled full time in an aviation-related course of study at an NBAA or UAA member school, be a U.S. citizen, and be a sophomore or higher. The scholarship offers at least $1,000.
To learn more, visit the NBAA website.
Scholarship Application Tips
This list of aviation scholarships is only the tip of the iceberg. There are many more options out there. So, make sure that you continue your search to find them. Before you go, though, take some time to read through the following tips that will give you some assistance with applying for aviation scholarships. These tips may also help you to gain an edge over everyone else applying.
- Always fill out the application completely and submit all your documentation with the application at one time.
- Read eligibility requirements and only apply if you meet them all.
- Follow all the instructions.
- Turn in your application on time before the deadline.
- If an essay is required, make sure to proofread it, and have someone else read it over for mistakes or errors.
- Don’t be afraid to apply for other types of scholarships and financial aid.
- Ask for letters of recommendation well in advance.
- Apply to all scholarships you find that are a good match for you.
- If you are not good at writing, consider non-essay scholarship options
The Final Word on Aviation Scholarships
Now you have the information you need to get started finding financial help for your education. It takes time and plenty of waiting to get a scholarship, but it is worth it in the end. When you can get an award, it can significantly ease the burden of paying for college or training. So, make sure to check into all of your options in aviation scholarships.
